Community colleges are often referred to as "the Ellis Island" of American higher education, so it was only fitting that 207 Massachusetts immigrants from 53 different countries officially gained U.S. citizenship during a Naturalization Ceremony held at Mount Wachusett Community College on Feb. 6.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services selected MWCC as the setting as part of its ongoing initiative to bring ceremonies to local communities, as well to recognize the college's 50th anniversary, said Joseph S. Forte of the USCIS, a former Gardner resident and alumnus of MWCC.

The USCIS presented the candidates for naturalization to the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, before the Honorable Robert B. Collings, United States Magistrate Judge, who also administered the Oath of Allegiance to America's newest citizens. Read more.

MWCC Employees Collectively Donate $62,778 for United Way; COMECC

Charitable giving by Mount Wachusett Community College employees topped $62,000, exceeding the college's goal for the year. Through voluntary one-time donations and payroll deductions, and various on-campus fundraisers, faculty and staff pledged a total of $62,778 to the 2013 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COMECC) and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. Read more.

MWCC Kicks Off Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration

Mount Wachusett Community College kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration on Jan. 30. The 1960s-style band Shakin' all Over performed tunes from the decades, while students, faculty and staff posed for 1960s photos. Read more.

"Purification," traditional Buddhist sculptures and contemporary work by Thomas Matsuda, will be on exhibition at Mount Wachusett Community College February 18 through March 15 in the East Wing Gallery of the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. An artist's reception will take place Thursday Feb. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m., and an artist's talk will take place Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Read more.

Upcoming Events

Coming up at MWCC...Black History Month events; What is Your Dream? Career Expo; Theatre at the Mount presents 9 to 5: The Musical.